Mercedes have revealed the exact reason for Nico Rosberg’s Singapore Grand Prix retirement after analysing his steering column and electronics back at their Brackley base.
The German was forced to start from the pit lane and then later retired during his first pit stop as he had no control over the cars clutch and couldn’t change engine settings.
Mercedes say a ‘foreign substance’ had contaminated the steering column and caused a short circuit in the electronics. It’s believed the ‘foreign substance’ is used during pre-event procedures but went undetected until the race start.
“Forensic analysis has revealed that the steering column electronic circuits were contaminated with a foreign substance,” Mercedes confirmed.
“The contamination was not visible and did not manifest itself until Sunday as Nico [Rosberg] went to the grid.
“The result was an intermittent short circuit in the electronic circuits meaning Rosberg could not command clutch or engine settings.”
The team insist they are working hard to resolve the reliability troubles which have plagued their season so far and say new parts will be used for the Japanese GP to avoid a repeat.
“Fresh parts will be used at the forthcoming races. Our hard work on reliability processes will continue at the same intensive level.”
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